Management Tips for Success with Sheep and Goat Artificial Insemination

Starting an artificial insemination program, or AI program, can be confusing as there are many steps to the protocol. However, producers can complete several steps before a program is set into motion to ensure its success. Producers should keep in mind that managing animals before, during, and after an artificial insemination protocol is equally as important as synchronization. Without proper management, producers can expect a decreased pregnancy rate in animals that have been artificially inseminated. But don’t be alarmed, as a few conscious decisions in managing your flock or herd can set them up for success with this new reproduction technology.

The first and possibly biggest management tool that can be utilized to achieve success is the nutritional flushing of the females. Nutritional flushing, as described by senior extension educator Melanie Barkley, is when the animal's plane of nutrition is raised, increasing the ovulation rate. When flushed, females increase the amount of insulin they produce, which then affects the production of the luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is responsible for releasing the oocyte and increasing the ovulation rate. Therefore, flushing before an AI program can result in an increased rate of pregnancy in your ewes or does, because the female produces more oocytes to be fertilized.

However, flushing will have a negative effect on animals with a body score of 4 or 5. Excessive body condition results in a poor effect from nutritional flushing and decreases the success of laparoscopic AI. Making sure that animals are in proper body condition as well as nutrient plane is the first step for a successful program.

In addition to increasing the plane of nutrition, producers should ensure that animals have access to proper mineral supplementation. Ewes and does should have access to a high-quality mineral mix formulated for their species several months before starting an AI program. The minerals can help replenish any deficiencies in the ewe or does before the day of AI. This is important because many trace minerals can influence the reproductive health of that animal. As an example, the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) states that a selenium and vitamin E deficiency within ewes and does can cause a lower implantation rate after mating or insemination. As you can see, improper supplementation can decrease the pregnancy rate in sheep or goats. To fix this problem, reach out to your local veterinarian or extension agent to ask if there is any deficiency in your area or for mineral mixes that they recommend.

Another thing to remember when setting up an AI program is the animals’ environment. The key thing is the consistency of the environment where the animals are housed. When setting up an area, make sure there is a safe way to handle those animals when they receive their shots or CIDRS. Easy access to a chute system or catch pen is preferred, but any system that does not add extra stress to that animal can be used. Animals must have access to clean, fresh water, and they may also need access to a shelter if housed outside. Lastly, ensure that these animals can stay in that pen or housing area for at least a month before and after the program. Moving these bred females to a new environment can add stress, which negatively affects pregnancy rates with AI.

Overall, you can see that a few management decisions can greatly impact the pregnancy rate of the ewes and does. Making sure that you have a plan set in place before the AI program starts can have a positive impact on your AI success. Proactively managing and caring for your animals can significantly increase your operation’s reproduction success and the success of your flock or herd.

References

Barkley, M. (2024, January 22). Genetics and Reproduction Presentation. State College, PA: Penn State Extension.

Scott, P. (2009). Trace Element Deficiencies in Sheep. Retrieved from NADIS Animal Health Skills